Duck Head University – A Legacy Brand Triumphs.

Duck Head has done something remarkable that I wanted to bring to your attention. We have seen how not to reinvigorate a legacy brand (ahem) right? This release from Duck Head is a masterclass in how TO do it. Let me explain. The Fall/Winter Collection just got released and I had a chance to review


Reflections On 60.

Today is my 60th birthday. I went to the gym, came home, showered, and put on shorts and a white ocbd. While I was doing so, it occurred to me that this is probably my most Ivy year yet. The author at 60, pre-gym, no filters. Why? Because you can dress a lot of things



Dress Codes and Common Courtesies

Editor’s note: Mr. Michael J. Connolly grew up in Essex, MA and is now a professor of history in Indiana. Mr. Connolly is a regular contributor to Imaginative Conservative as well. His piece was a very timely submission, as I have evolved too with civility and how to reinforce it here. As I enter my


Is There A Debt Here Really?

You see, here in the comments and on the FB group, a lot about the debt that Ivy owes to the UK. Is that true though? First, you have to start with what Ivy is. Ivy isn’t Trad, right? Ivy has Trad in it. Sushi has rice in it but we don’t call it rice.


An Amazing Tom Round Up

Once again, The Amazing Tom provides a round-up of Ivy-relevant articles for us. Up first is this article in the Wall Street Journal about mixing patterns. I have a simple rule for myself, DON’T. Unless it is a tie. Then, never stripes with stripes. Some people pull it off, I am not amongst them. In


G. Bruce Boyer riffs on Riffs

On my other show Home From Here, Mr. Boyer called in and we did an hour sampling and talking about some of the music in his new book, Riffs, which is available on Amazon here. Riffs by G. Bruce Boyer He was an amazing guest, and we covered a breadth of topics. We purposely stayed


How We Roll

Editor’s Note: Chris Collins sends hilarious emails, is a very good guy, and sent in this piece about sleeve rolling, for which we are grateful. To roll up or not?  Your shirt sleeves, and the ‘whether to’ or ‘if at all’ discussion about when they can and should be rolled up is either an interesting


Lauren Just Went Un-Ivy

The Amazing Tom just sent me an article that stepped me back a bit. Fodder for discussion. Here’s the article. They say the right thing. That they are elevating the product, the storytelling. And I think they have. Lauren’s recent projects directed toward inclusion are fantastic. BUT. The article states that Lauren, over the last


An Interesting Exercise And An Ask For Advice.

Editor’s Note: Topic courtesy of Pier Francesco Verlato of the FB Group. Looking forward to your notes. Charles Bellinger, who has written for the site, got some very good news and now has an interesting problem. Any thoughts?


The Man Makes The Clothing

Editor’s Note: We once again are treated to the brilliant writing of Daniel D. Covell, to whom we are always grateful for both his books and his submissions here. Paul Winston, whose family owned the well-regarded Ivy Style purveyor Chipp, said of John F. Kennedy, Jr., “Kennedy was a handsome and important man.  That old


In The 1940s

Men’s fashion was in a staid place. Men were not incentivized to buy suits because the war took the money and the joy out of it. In fact, many men wore their uniforms on suit-occasions. Jayne Shrimpton, in her book Fashion In The 40’s, writes: “Men’s clothing was also subject to strict guidelines: single-breasted jackets



Ivy Notes S2 E8

First, this is a great article with a gazillion great Black Ivy pictures in one place. Second, a poll question for here and for the FB group. What piece that you would include in the Ivy canon was introduced to the style after the year 1960? Third, is Brooks coming back to center a little?



Happy 75th Andover!

Andover has selected 22 items to feature, some of them commemorative of the 75th anniversary of the Ivy Icon. Over at the FB Group, we are featuring one a day. Thought I would share this one with you, it is up all weekend. Here’s the link to check out the pants.


A BRIEF HISTORY OF LAND’S END!

Editor’s Note: Thank you again to James Taylor of Waterhollow Tweed for this continuing series. Land’s End is now known mainly as a company that produces decent mid-range items, accompanied by the occasional high-quality item that lingers from its past–such as its Chamois Cloth shirts. But Land’s End didn’t always have its current pedestrian image.


Cover coverage: Yale football during the heyday of Ivy Style

Editor’s Note: The following article is by Dan Covell, friend to the site. He is the author of Managing Intercollegiate Athletics which you can buy here, and The New England Small Athletic Conference which you can buy here. “In 1959, staff writer Alfred Wright, an elegant Yalie and globetrotting husband of Joan Fontaine, was covering


If You Are Going To Buy One Book This Summer…

My friend and author Bruce Boyer. This book is amazing. It is a vacation and an education. AVAILABLE ON AMAZON  Released Summer 2023 ALLENTOWN, PA – Blue Heron Book Works is proud to announce the launch of G. Bruce Boyer’s 9th book, RIFFS: Random Reflections on Jazz, Blues and Early Rock.  In 1938, 30 years